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Quote Of The Week:

Greed is an imperfection that defiles the mind; hate is an imperfection that defiles the mind; delusion is an imperfection that defiles the mind.




-- Buddah
News: Manda Mosher will perform 'Lay Me Down' on Thurs., May 21 on the Late Late Show w/Craig Ferguson! Check out this vibrant newcomer.
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Six Years Ago, In The Basement Of A Chinese Restaurant In Brooklyn: The M SHANGHAI STRING BAND
M Shanghai String Band

M Shanghai String Band
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S ix years ago, in the basement of a Chinese restaurant in Brooklyn, the M SHANGHAI STRING BAND began serving up some of the most exuberant and old time inspired roots music on the scene. Fast becoming known as one of the best live bands around of any genre, the band is set to release their third album, The Mapmaker's Daughter, May 5th on Red Parlor Records. The band will celebrate with a cd release party on Tuesday, April 7th at Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St., 9:30 PM, 212-967-7555.

In 2004, they self-released their bold debut, Up From the Ground Below: an all-live album, recorded in one day, around a single microphone at the restaurant. They were immediately courted by labels, and chose to sign with Red Parlor Records (Ryko Distribution). The word was out.

M SHANGHAI's second album From the Air was named one of the top 10 albums of 2007 by the Albany Times Union (along with Mavis Staples, Arcade Fire, Robert Plant/Alison Krauss). Critic Greg Haymes wrote 'Thoroughly contemporary songs, resulting in absolutely timeless music. Simply the most joyous musical celebration of the year.'

The band's concerts have received equal praise, making 'Best Live Shows of the Year' lists. NYC's Village Voice dedicated a feature to the band in July 2008, and even the New York Times gave them a shout in a major article on the roots music revolution in New York. They've sold out big venues including the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Summer Music Festival; yet despite the growing buz M SHANGHAI continue to play for free every first Saturday of the month in the Brooklyn basement where it all began- and play all night they do.

As fun and raucous as the live shows can be, the heart of the band's appeal lies with their vibrant and heartfelt original material. The new songs on The Mapmaker's Daughter will ultimately steal the show.

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The SteelDrivers
Soulful & Gritty The Steeldrivers' Capture Surprising Country Group/Duo Grammy Nomination
Fellow nominees include Rascal Flatts, Brooks 'n Dunn, Sugarland & Lady Antebellum*
Steeldrivers

Steeldrivers

Steeldrivers
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"The SteelDrivers earn their name not only with Chris Stapleton's hard, hoarse shout but also with the relentless attack of Tammy Rogers' fiddle and Mike Henderson's mandolin...the group has galvanized into a force in bluegrass and beyond." ~USA Today

"The SteelDrivers demonstrates the effortlessness with which their songwriting crosses genre boundaries." ~Country Weekly

I n what has to be one of the oddest Grammy pairings, Nashville's homegrown The SteelDrivers' have been nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group along with country superstars Rascal Flatts, Brooks 'n Dunn, Sugarland and Lady Antebellum. Music Row Magazine's Bob Oermann wrote of their 2008 self-titled debut on Rounder Records, 'The SteelDrivers combine backwoods bluegrass with deep-fried soul'. Produced by Luke Wooten (Alison Krauss, Jim Lauderdale and Dierks Bentley), the release has also garnered the five piece group nominations from the Americana Music Association and the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Highly regarded behind the scenes as songsmiths and session players -- with innumerable hits, cuts and licks to their credit -- this batch of seasoned pros has performed to sold out crowds from their inception almost two years ago. While offering new takes on classic themes of redemption and loss, and hope and home their songs are equally informed by the mountain sound of Ralph Stanley and the rhythm and blues of Ray Charles.

Recording all original material, The SteelDrivers' collision of back-country high lonesome and Delta soul is one of the most refreshing sounds to emerge on the acoustic scene in a long time. With no hype, just incredible talent, these five musicians have already established a name for themselves in a town that barely looks twice at a bunch of folks holding acoustic instruments. Stretching the boundaries of the typical bluegrass band, the dynamic rock/blues/soul vocals of Chris Stapleton (songs recorded by Josh Turner, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney) put the high lonesome bluegrass sound smack dab in the middle of town.

Other SteelDrivers include mandolinist/guitarist/vocalist Mike Henderson (Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt), fiddler/vocalist Tammy Rogers (Buddy & Julie Miller, Reba, Rodney Crowell), banjo player Richard Bailey (Johnny Cash, George Jones, Al Green) and bassist Mike Fleming (Kevin Welch, David Olney).

Artist Tour Dates

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*Literate Songwriter of Grit and Grace Slaid Cleaves Hits the Road with First New Material in Five Years*
Slaid Cleaves

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"New England transplant Slaid Cleaves distinguishes himself with melodies that roam to unexpected places, yet never lose their hook. Producer (Gurf) Morlix forges Cleaves' folk into rocking, roots music . . . Cleaves' voice is honest and strong." ~RollingStone.com

I t's been five years since Texas-based, New England-raised Slaid Cleaves released an album of original material. Though he's never been described as 'prolific', Slaid has once again delivered an album full of uncommonly fine-tuned songs built to stand the test of time. The new batch of songs on /Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away/, Music Road Records, will hit the streets April 21 and he'll be bringing his new songs along on an East Coast swing (see tour dates).

Reuniting with producer Gurf Morlix and co-writer pals such as Rod Picott and Adam Carroll, the new collection of literate and astute, Americana folk tales is a beautiful follow up to the critically acclaimed /Wishbones /(2004)/ /and/ Broke Down /(2000). While continuing to showcase his masterful talent as a songwriter of depth and detail, /Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away/ evinces the growth of an artist probing yet deeper into the human heart.

Having spent the better part of the past five years on the road, Slaid is embarking on another new journey in joining the co-op label Music Road Records. The brainchild of fellow songwriter Jimmy LaFave, the new label, headed by noted engineer Fred Remmert, is allowing Slaid a more hands on involvement with both his album release and his career in these tumultuous times.

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Compelling Sounds, Heart And Soul, Manda Mosher's Everything You Need
Manda

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O ne of the bright lights of the new year has been been discovering the compelling sounds of songwriter Manda Mosher. Music has always been a balm for the heart and soul and Manda's upcoming national debut, /Everything You Need/, on Red Parlor Records is the perfect antidote for our times. Set for release on April 7, Manda's national debut is a beautiful mix of sultry and smooth, mysterious and mischievous and most of all an enchanting listen.

Produced by Guy Erez (PJ Olsson) and mastered by Grammy winning engineer Gavin Lurssen, /Everything You Need /is a beautiful reflection of Manda's folk rock sensibilities. In an early review Paul Zollo of _American Songwriter_ wrote "(Manda's) melodies with poignant lyrics sung with a sensual, sultry authority... this is good, this is now." A sixth generation Los Angeleno, I hear a California girl with bits of Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Tom Petty and Aimee Mann.

A favorite on the Los Angeles' club scene, Manda is an accomplished musician and songwriter (Berklee College of Music). A long time assistant to NARAS' Neil Portnow, Manda is a rare artist combining the creative with a keen music business sense. Upon his urging, she has taken the leap to making music full time and bringing her distinctive folk rock sounds to the rest of the country. Later this month, she'll be performing two sets at the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, in March she'll make several appearances at SXSW and in April she'll celebrate the cd release at LA's Hotel Cafe on April 7.

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Beautiful Mountain Style Harmonies, Smart Lyrics
THE MICKEYS
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"As long as there's a dream, there is hope, and as long as there is hope, there is joy in living." ~Anonymous

I t's been a crazy year -- lots of uncertainty for everybody -- but as we celebrate our new president (keeping fingers crossed) it's time to look ahead and get ready for the year. To kick off our new beginnings, it's appropriate one of the year's new releases will be /Walk Along/ from the compelling twosome, sisters Amy Sherman and Julie Peebles known as the Mickeys (their maiden name). Due on January 27 on their own Riverbeat Music, the new release is filled with beautiful mountain style harmonies, smart lyrics and unadorned arrangements. Dedicated to the loss of their older brother, the title track speaks to the smallness of humanity versus the vastness of eternity.

Without being saccarine or overly sentimental, the entire collection is a message of promise for better days. If there is anything we have learned throughout the past few years it is the importance of personal connections and the preciousness of life -- the country-flavored, acoustic folk music and insightful writing is all about the importance of the small things in life -- friendship and love.

The sisters co-write nine of the eleven tracks and performed all the vocals. The cd ends with the only cover they've ever recorded, Tom Petty's lullaby 'Alright for Now'.

I hope you can take a moment to listen to the Mickey's promise of hope /Walk Along/, and be inspired for the new year!

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